OFF THE WIRE
Written by Abate of Michigan Legislative Officer Jim Rhoades. I got a picture of him as a very young man setting by himself on the Capitol steps in 1976 with a handmade poster " helmet laws suck ". He has become THE lobbyists lobbyist here. And has taken the helmet fight as far as it could ever go without actually being repealed. 2 years running, majority house and senate passage of repeal. Only to be vetoed by Granholm. We will have passage again this year, and yes, most likely another veto. BUT! We do not quit. All but one candidate for governor in the upcoming election, both democrat and republican, have openly stated that they will support repeal in 2011. No one deserves more credit for that than Jim Rhoades!
--- In boltusa@yahoogroups.com, Gypsypashn@... wrote:
>
>
> _http://www.freep.com/article/20100701/OPINION02/7010332/1070/Opinion02/YES-
> States-without-helmet-laws-benefit-from-tourism-_
> (http://www.freep.com/article/20100701/OPINION02/7010332/1070/Opinion02/YES-States-without-helmet-laws
- Show quoted text -
> -benefit-from-tourism-) YES: States without helmet laws benefit from
> tourism BY JIM RHOADES
> A recent article reported that the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates
> agreed on one thing: Michigan's outdated helmet law for motorcyclists must
> go.
> New scientific discovery fuels muscle building Shocking discovery for
> joint relief How to keep your PC clean and quick Age 55 or older? Pay up to 75%
> less for your cruise Mysterious fruits reverse aging, improve health How
> to restore your PC to like-new performance
> Our state's economy is based on tourism, and this law discourages
> out-of-state riders from traveling to this great state.
> Our outdated helmet law is a barrier to motorcycle tourism. At the same
> time, the current law does nothing to reduce motorcycle injuries and
> fatalities. Michigan is the only Great Lakes state with a mandatory helmet law.
> Surveys repeatedly show that an overwhelming majority of motorcyclists in
> neighboring states refuse to visit Michigan because of this law.
> According to a study done by Michigan Consultants in Lansing, Michigan is
> losing millions of tourism dollars and approximately $1.2 billion in
> overall economic benefit because of this law.
> For example, Harley Davidson's 105th anniversary in 2008 brought more than
> $135 million to Wisconsin's economy during the four-day event. After
> Florida modified its helmet law, the state took in more than $100 million in
> additional revenue -- just from new motorcycle registrations. Florida also had
> an increase of 110% in motorcycle registrations with a significant
> reduction in motorcycle fatalities.
> Michigan could use a boost to its economy, too. There are no major
> motorcycle events in Michigan.
> There is, however, a "Bike Week" in Florida, Ohio, South Carolina, North
> Dakota and New Hampshire, as well as other events that Michigan is losing
> out on.
> Fact is, the 30 states allowing adult choice on motorcycle helmets enjoy
> lower fatality rates. Head injuries are not higher in helmet choice states.
> No state has increased its insurance rates after modifying its helmet law,
> and no state has lowered insurance rates with the implementation of a
> helmet law. Add to this the economic benefit, and the helmet law should go.
> According to the Fatal Accident Reporting System, sometimes cited by
> opponents of freedom of choice, "there is no significant difference in fatality
> rates between states requiring or not requiring helmet usage." In committee
> hearings, opponents were asked if insurance rates would increase if we
> modify this law. Their response was that insurance rates would not increase.
> Modifying Michigan's helmet law does not prevent anyone from wearing a
> helmet.
> We believe the key to motorcycle safety, accident reduction and injury
> prevention lies in rider education and car driver awareness programs. Helmet
> laws do not make a safer rider, nor do they prevent accidents.
>
__._,_.___
